Electrical (E-vehicles) vehicles refer to vehicles and automobiles powered by electricity rather than traditional fossil fuels like gasoline or diesel. These vehicles use one or more electric motors for propulsion, drawing energy from rechargeable batteries or other sources such as fuel cells.
Currently, E-vehicles are gaining popularity due to their environmental benefits and potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, leading to cleaner air and reduced pollution in urban areas. Additionally, they can help decrease dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
Various types of E-Vehicles are available in the market, including electric cars, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles, and electric scooters. Electric cars are the most common type and come in different models and sizes. Electric motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters are also becoming increasingly popular for short-distance travel.
Despite their benefits, one of the main challenges associated with E-Vehicles is their limited range compared to traditional vehicles. However, advancements in battery technology have led to improvements in the range and charging times of electric vehicles. Additionally, the development of a widespread charging infrastructure is crucial for the widespread adoption of E-Vehicles.
Governments and automobile manufacturers worldwide are investing heavily in research and development to improve E-Vehicle technology and make it more affordable and accessible to the general public. Many countries have also introduced incentives such as tax credits and subsidies to encourage consumers to switch to electric vehicles. Overall, E-Vehicles offer a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change while providing a cleaner and more sustainable mode of transportation.
E-Vehicles are also gaining traction in Africa, as countries on the continent look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and address air pollution issues. African cities, especially those with high levels of air pollution, are increasingly adopting electric vehicles for public transportation and other purposes.
For instance, in South Africa, the government has set a target to have 5 percent of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2025. The country has also implemented various incentives, such as tax breaks and reduced import duties, to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Similarly, the Kenyan government has exempted electric vehicles from import duty and value-added tax, making them more affordable for consumers. The country has also invested in charging infrastructure, with plans to install over 3,000 charging stations across the country. Other African countries, including Rwanda and Morocco, have also taken steps to promote the use of electric vehicles.
While the adoption of electric vehicles in Ethiopia is still in its early stages, and there is a growing recognition of their potential benefits. Because E-vehicles have the potential to reduce air pollution, improve energy security, and create new job opportunities in the clean energy sector. However, challenges such as limited charging infrastructure and high upfront costs remain barriers to widespread adoption.
To overcome these challenges, the governments and stakeholders are working towards expanding charging infrastructure networks and exploring innovative financing options. Additionally, partnerships with international organizations are helping to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles in Ethiopia.
Indeed, the effects of climate change are severe, cross-sectoral, lasting, and in some circumstances, irreversible. Ethiopia and other developing nations are affected by climate change and its harmful repercussions, even if their contribution to the effects of global warming is still minimal because of their low pace of industrialization.
Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa stated that Ethiopia has an insignificant contribution to climate change. However, the country is working toward globally agreed development goals to mitigate the effect of climate change.
More importantly, Ethiopia has been actively pursuing sustainable development and reducing climate change. Particularly, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics’ choice could serve as a useful model for reducing climate change. To protect the environment, the Ministry has been pushing to increase the usage of electric vehicles.
According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics data, Ethiopia spends more than $4 billion on fuel annually, but using E-vehicles will also help the nation use less fossil fuel overall. Because an E-vehicle can travel 200–240 km on average after a full charge, which only costs 20 Birr. As fuel-powered vehicles need to use 20 liters of fuel on average, it is expensive.
In consequence, this lowers the quantity of carbon emissions coming from the transportation industry. Low-carbon emissions to the environment are reduced by introducing climate-resilient E-vehicles and developing climate-friendly transportation systems. As a result, electric vehicles are being promoted as solutions to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation industry.
Actually, Ethiopia is taking genuine steps to ensure that there is no air pollution in the transportation industry. By combining competitive E-vehicle technology with massive renewable energy potentials, the nation hopes to establish a transportation and logistics system free of carbon emissions.
Access to electricity and charging stations remains a difficult problem for the nation despite several efforts to put electric vehicles into service. Therefore, to see more carbon-free technology used not just in the transportation and logistics industries but also in other areas, it is crucial to assist Ethiopia with financial, technical, and moral support to plant more and more E-vehicle charging stations.
Taking the challenge of charging station facts across the country into account, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics has held consultative discussions with federal institutions and private sector representatives who have a stake in expanding E-vehicle battery charging centers on a pre-feasibility study to expand the centers in regional cities.
Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics State Minister Baro Hassan said that to lower the cost of petroleum, the country is developing a variety of plans to introduce electric automobiles.
Additionally, the Ministry has been working in tandem with the relevant institutions, groups, and businesses to increase the number of E-vehicle charging stations in Addis Ababa and other nearby cities. Currently, he continued, it’s crucial to advance the technology in terms of battery charging alternatives for E-electric vehicles, battery charging technologies, various policy frameworks, social advantages, the viability of the industry, center designs, and other related concerns.
Currently, there are more than 7,000 imported and locally assembled electric vehicles in Ethiopia, including motorcycles and three-wheelers. There are more than 40 electric charging machines located in 10 centers in Addis Ababa city. Accordingly, these electric-powered vehicles play a significant role in saving the nation’s resources from waste and preventing climate pollution and other issues, so this year, stakeholders, officials of various federal institutions, and private companies should work together to develop and further strengthen the transport sector,
Ethiopia currently has about 7,000 imported and locally assembled E-vehicles, including motorcycles and three-wheelers. In the city of Addis Ababa, there are ten locations with more than 40 electric charging stations. Therefore, he urged, that stakeholders, representatives of various federal institutions, and private businesses should collaborate to develop and further strengthen the transportation sector this year. These electric-powered vehicles consequently play a significant role in saving the country’s resources from waste and preventing climate pollution and other issues.
Overall, by lowering emissions and promoting cleaner transportation options, E-vehicles have the potential to significantly contribute to Ethiopia’s efforts at sustainable development. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that the usage of electric vehicles in Ethiopia will increase as technology improves and prices fall. Therefore, it is important to increase the number of charging stations both nationally and in smaller cities.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2023
